Richard Tucker Gala Concert / Carnegie Hall

Dec 11, 2017

“Soprano Ailyn Pèrez (the 2012 Tucker award winner) never fails to delight and delight she did with “Ebben! Ne andrò lontana” from Catalani’s rarely performed verismo opera La Wally. There was a memorably graceful portamento in this heartfelt aria and Ms. Pèrez brought it to a thrilling climax. Even better was her performance of “Un bel di” from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly in which the pathos is punctuated by the percussion in the orchestra.”

“The other star of the night was soprano Ailyn Pérez who gave the audience another taste of her ever-expanding repertoire. Her first selection “Ebben? ne andro lontana” exuded a sense of despair. The opening lines were sung with a lush pianissmo that eventually grew to a chilling fortissmo. Her “Un Bel di vedremo” also showed Perez’s affinity for verismo as she brought out a tender vocal quality throughout the middle section. When the aria went to it climactic B flat, Perez’s voice grew richer and more devastating.”

“Soprano Ailyn Pérez (who won the Tucker Award in 2012 and recently triumphed at the Met in “Thais”) gave the audience a rare treat: “Ebben? Ne andrò lontana” from Alfredo Catalani’s “La Wally,” a famous aria from an opera that is never performed. She followed this with an impassioned “Un bel di” from Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The lovely singer also appeared in different outfits for each number.”